Shanti Maurice Resort & Spa

Shanti Maurice Resort & Spa at Saint Félix on the south coast is Mauritius's most genuinely holistic wellness resort, the island's answer to Ananda in the Himalayas or Como Shambhala in Bali. The 61 suites and villas are arranged along a broad south-facing beach with the force of the Indian Ocean evident in the waves — this is not a calm lagoon coast, and the energy of the water here is deliberately incorporated into the wellness philosophy. The Nira Spa is the resort's centrepiece: 4,000 square metres containing an Ayurvedic treatment centre (with an on-site vaidya conducting three-day minimum Panchakarma programmes), a hydrotherapy pool, a Hammam, a Kneipp path, and a gym with resident physiotherapist. Morning yoga takes place in an open-sided ocean-facing pavilion where the sunrise catches the sea spray from the offshore rocks. The kitchen, led by a team that considers nutrition as closely as flavour, produces vegetable-forward, largely organic menus for the restaurant alongside more indulgent choices for those whose wellness is more selective. The wine cellar is exceptional for a wellness property, and the sommelier makes no apologies for it. Shanti Maurice is for guests who want the experience of a serious retreat — real lifestyle change, genuine expert guidance, measurable improvement — set against the backdrop of Mauritius's wildest and most dramatic coast.